Novelty gel pad and gel picture frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to provide a gel pad which includes non slip gel pad, decal gel picture frame and window cling. The invention also provides a decorative printing on a surface of gel pad picture frame. The printing methods can be pad printing, or screen-printing, digital printing and heat transfer printing. After die cut the designed shape from non slip gel pad, the picture frame body is constructed polymeric gel materials and is shaped to define a center opening in which the photograph is positioned. The part of die cut shape is a window cling. A process for making a gel picture frame includes the step of die-cut of a design shape from thermoplastic rubber flat sheet, printing a art design to surface of a design shape TPR sheet, finally a top coated was applied to protect the printing image. The image printing methods can be transfer printing, pad printing, screen printing, digital printing and hand painting. Pad printing, screen-printing, or spray coating can be used for the top coated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of hydrocarbon gel products are on the market. There are used mostly for toys, novelty, gifts, window cling, and decorative ornaments. The customers are particularly attractive by the hydrocarbon gel products due to its features of soft, clear, stretchable, and removable. However, the hydrocarbon gel products do not allow easily for any additional visuals, be it by print. Much of this may be related to the nature of the gel product in surface structure containing mineral oil. It would be quite desirable to provide a way of printed detail graphic into hydrocarbon gel product, without reducing the amount of surface area that contributes to traction of these gel products by addition of an ink printed surface areas. Additionally, the careful selection of the composition of gel products has related the good adhesion between ink film and surface of the gel products.

The present invention relates to a process of making and printing a non slip gel pad. After die cut the designed shape from printed non slip gel pad, there is obtained, a gel picture frame having a decorated printing image around a center window for mounting a photo or the like.

Conventional picture frames typically consist of elongate members of wood, metal, or plastic arranged in a rectangular shape with the corners attached together with adhesives or fasteners. The display photo is placed in the frame along with a transparent front panel and backing materials, which are further attached with more fasteners or a stiff backing, are positioned behind the artwork within the frame molding. Particularly, the frame may need a wire or other suitable fastener appropriately secured for use in hanging the display item or picture on a wall or other vertical surface.

There are some prior art patents relating to the technology of this invention. One is U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,125, upon the process for making a picture frame. There is also a U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,650, upon a removable display cover and method. These are prior art known to the Applicant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide hydrocarbon gel pad, the surface of said gel pad possessing adhesive properties. By providing a positive adhesive, the gel pad itself will function as a non slip pad while retaining the printed part of die cut, gel picture frame as obtained by removing the printed part of die cut, while the printed part became a window cling which is the printed part of die cut.

It is an object of this invention to provide a gelled hydrocarbon composition, suitable for use as a gel pad, comprising hydrocarbon oil gelled in a blend of triblock styrenic rubber copolymer. Another object of the invention is to provide a stiff, flexible, bendable and removable gel pad through careful selection of different molecular weight of the thermoplastic rubber copolymer and different viscosity of mineral oils. A further object of this invention is the gel pad can provide multifunctional applications of a non slip pad, a gel picture frame and window clings. Another object of this invention is to apply a printed image on the surface of the gel picture frame by pad printing, screen printing, digital printing or transfer release methods. Both the gel pad and the printing ink can further comprise luminescent pigment, fluorescent pigment, or thermochromic pigment.

The present process is to make a gel pad having a decorative and photo border that can be die cut to shaped specifications. The high quality and the fine print details are printed on a release film, the image printed transfer release film is slid onto the surface of gel picture frame. After peeling off the carrier of release film, the top coat is applied to protect the printed image.

Other objects may be considered by those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front view of the intact Novelty Gel Pad Gel Picture Frame of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a separate view of the Novelty Gel Pad Gel Picture Frame, with the center portion removed, both having applicability as adhesion device for either application to a surface, or for holding other products thereon as a pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION COMPOSITION OF POLYMERIC GEL PICTURE FRAME

The gel pad of composition comprises a hydrocarbon oil, one or more triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers. The shape of gel pad can be molded or die cut in any shapes. Under this invention, varying the amount, ratio and types of polystyrene-rubber-polystyrene triblock copolymers controls the gel consistency of the gel pad.

The polymeric gel can retain its gel-like features over time; it is flexible, stretchable, and removable. According to the present invention, gels are made of styrene rubber copolymer having weight average molecular weight Mw of at least 90,000, preferably at least 200,000, more preferably at least 300,000, and polystyrene content of 25 to 45 weight percent, preferably 28 to 40 weight percent, more preferably 30 to 35 weight percent. In general, the higher copolymer amount the stiffer the gel. Additionally, the higher amount of triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymer in polymer blend, the stiffer the blend gels. The gels under the present invention are generally transparent.

The composition of present polymeric gel pad blends a mixture of polymers in combination with hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil used is desirably a natural or synthetic hydrocarbon oil of carbon chain length from 10 to 50. The oil may, for example, be a paraffinic oil, naphthenic oil or a natural mineral oil. The hydrocarbon oil can, for example, be natural or synthetic cosmetic grade hydrocarbon oil. Preferred the hydrocarbon oils are selected from paraffinic oil, naphthenic oil or natural oils, more preferably white oil.

Commercially available thermoplastic rubber type copolymers, which are especially useful in forming the gel composition of the present invention, are sold under the trademark Septon and manufactured by Septon Company of America. They are available as a hydrogenated poly-isoprene/butadiene (SEEPS) polymer. The grade of the polymer is designated as Septon 4030, 4033, 4044, 4055, and 4077. Each molecule of SEEPS polymer consists of block segments of styrene monomer units and hydrogenated conjugated diene monomer units. The polystyrene block acts as a cross linking point at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of polystyrene. The rubber block acts as an origin of rubber-like properties; hydrogenation thereof provides excellent heat resistance and weather ability.

Low molecular weight polyalphaolefin was added to maintain the rigidity of the gel pad. The most unique characteristics of this highly branched alphaolefin polymers is the ability to bind oil, increase the hardness, very flexible and provide excellent lubricity properties. Commercially available polyalphaolefin polymers, which are especially useful in retaining the rigidity of gel composition of the present invention, are sold under the trademark VYBAR and manufactured by Baker Hughes Inc.

It is also advantageous to incorporate luminescent, fluorescent, pearlescent particles, glitters, metallic pigments, and optical brightener additives to gel picture frame, to add a degree of fun and extended function to the products. These types of additives can be applied to the thermoplastic tuber gel in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. If desired, thermochromic pigments may be added to the gel picture frame. These pigments change color at predetermined temperatures. Alternatively the change may be from coloured to colourless. Such thermochromic pigments are known per se and are commercially available from Matsui Inc. or The Pilot Ink Company of Japan.

Any dye used should be oil soluble. Examples of suitable dyes are Blue 2B, Green GSB, Orange 3G, Red 2G, and Yellow 3G, sold under the name of Sandoplast by Clariant.

Other useful additives are light absorber to improve shelf stability of gel picture frame color when exposed to visible or ultraviolet light. The preferred light absorber is 2-)2-hydroxy-5-tert-cotylphenyl) benzotriazole, sold under the name Cyasorb UV-5411 light absorber and also Tinuvin 328 and 770 by Ciba Specialty chemicals. With respect to antioxidants, The preferred product is bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate), sold under the name of the Iragnox 1010 by Ciba Specialty chemicals. The additives amount is about from 0.05 to 0.5 weight percent.

Composition of Printing Inks

The present invention of printing ink is applied on the surface of polymeric gel, and includes resins, mineral oil, solvents, pigments or dyes, and additives. The process involves optionally preparing the basecoat treatment on the substrate of polymeric gel, printing a multi-color image on the treated substrate of polymeric gel. The printing methods include pad printing, or screen printing or, transfer release printing. A clear topcoat needs to be applied either by pad printing or spray method.

Resins

The printing ink is composed of one or more resins. In most cases the resins are obtained in the form of granulates or powders. The resins must be dissolved in a suitable solvent or solvents mixture. As a main component of the invention, the resins are responsible for the formation of the finished ink film and the carrier for the coloring material used in the ink formulation. The selection and combination of these resins determine the utilization of the ink's area and the resulting properties; such as adhesion to various substrates, grades of gloss, and resistance. Under the present invention, varying the amount and types of polymers affects the features of pad printing ink. For example, preferably using triblock, radical block and/or multiblock copolymers, and optionally a diblock copolymer the printing ink, which have desirable rheological properties, will produce a durable and stretchable ink film. The polymers used comprise at least one copolymer selected from the radical block and/or multiblock copolymers. This invention contains at least two thermodynamically incompatible segments, one hard and one soft. In general, in a triblock polymer, the ratio of the segments is one hard, one soft, and one hard or an A-B-A copolymer. The multiblock and radical block copolymer can contain any combination of hard and soft segments. In the optional diblock copolymer, the blocks are sequential with respect to hard and soft segments.

Commercially available thermoplastic rubber type polymers are especially useful in forming the compositions of the present invention. Both Kraton Chemical Company and Septon Company of America sell commonly used polymers”. The most common structure is the linear ABA block type; styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) which is the Kraton D rubber series. Kraton G is another type of polymer. The copolymer comprises a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) structure. The Kraton G series is preferred in the practice of the invention. The optionally blended diblock polymers include the AB type such as styrene-ethylene-propylene (S-EP) and styrene-ethylene-butylene (S-EB), styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-isoprene (SI). Septon resins are available in either diblock (A-B) or the more common triblock) A-B-A) types. These include a hydrogenated poly-isoprene (S-EP, S-EP-S), a hydrogenated poly-isoprene/butadiene (S-EEP-S) polymer or a hydrogenated poly-butadiene (SEBS) polymer. Depending on the hardness of the substrate of the thermoplastic rubber compositions of ink, employing various combinations of triblock and radical block is necessary.

The printing ink preferably includes resins from about 1 to 12% by weight, more preferably from about 5 to 10% by weight, and still preferably from about 6 to 8% by weight.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oils are highly refined, colorless, and odorless petroleum oil. A preferred mineral oil to mix with thermoplastic rubber of the invention is the so-called “white” mineral oil. This type of mineral oil is generally recognized as safe for contact with human skin. Mineral oil may be characterized in terms of its density and viscosity, where light mineral oil is relatively less viscous than heavy mineral oil.

Light mineral oils are preferred for use in the invention. Mineral oils are available commercially in both USP and NF grades. Examples of commercially available suitable mineral oils include Sonneborn® and Carnation® white oils from Witco, Isopar® K and Isopar® H from ExxonMobil, and Drakeol®, Draketex®, Parol® white mineral oils from Penreco Company. The amount of mineral oil in the printing ink should range from about 10 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of pad printing ink components, preferably from about 15 to 25% by weight.

Solvents

Solvents differ in their evaporation speeds and strengths. The amount of solvent in a printing ink is a major factor for its drying rate, printing speed and adhesion to the substrate. Solvents can be divided into thinners and retarders. Retarders are necessary when printing speed is slow and when drying ink system is extremely fast. Functioning as diluents in the corresponding ink system, the thinners are a mixture of solvents. Mixing ink with thinners in the correct ratio to achieve the desired viscosity is extremely important. The viscosity of the final mixture will determine the effectiveness of the ink transfer. The type and amount of solvents will depend on the resins and pigment used in the ink system. In some cases, the substrates also play a role in determining which solvent should be used. The physical evaporation process of the solvents ink induces the drying of ink on substrate. At the same time the substrate of thermoplastic rubber compound is partially dissolved, the slight dissolution of the printing surface results in a direct bond between the ink and the substrate. In the present invention, top coat uses aromatic solvents to increase the adhesion between the ink film and the substrate of thermoplastic rubber and very low evaporation rate of glycol ether acetate are used to reduce the volatile of aromatic solvents. The solvents uses in this invention can be arranged in the following chemical group: Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Ester, Glycol Ether Acetate and Ketone. For Aromatic solvents, Toluene, Xylenes, Aromatic 100, and Aromatic 150 are preferred. From the Ester group, butyl acetate and amyl acetate are preferred. In the Glycol Ether Acetate group, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate are preferred. Lastly, cyclohexanone, and isophorone are preferred from the Ketone group.

Colorants

Colorants provide the color tone of the ink and determine its hiding power. Colorants, either organic pigments or inorganic pigments, give color to a substrate by altering its reflective characteristics. There are hundreds of different types of pigment produced. Some are formed by nature in mineral or vegetable forms, but most are synthetic materials. When ink is applied to a substrate, colorants either remain on the surface or have a tendency to fill voids in irregular surfaces. The present invention contains a coloring agent that produces a desired color appearance. For this invention, organic pigments are preferred. The pigments may be those pigments suitable for use in printing ink; such type of pigment are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Example of such pigments include, but are not limited to, pigment yellow 83 (C.I. 21108), pigment orange 34 (C.I. 21115), pigment red 48:3(C.I. 15865:3), pigment violet 23(C.I. 51319), pigment blue 15:2(C.I. 74160), pigment green 7 (C.l. 74260). Pigment white 6 (C.I. 77891) and pigment 7(C.I. 77266). In this invention, pigment makes up 10 to 30% by weight, preferably in an amount of about 15 to about 25% by weight.

Additives

The additives are substances normally used in small quantities. Their function is to adjust the ink properties, such as flow, viscosity, or characteristic of the surface. Adhesion modifiers, matting powder, anti-foam agent, wetting agent, antioxidant, antistatic agents, and flow control agents are a few examples. However, solvents have the most profound effect on printing performance.

Method of Printing

Normally in the method of pad printing, it lays down a very thin ink film ranging from 4 to 6 micron thick while the screen printing have much thicker ink on the substrate. Optionally base coat pretreatment is to dissolve the substrate of the soft thermoplastic rubber to increase the adhesion between the ink films. Beside base coat treatment, the topcoat plays another very important role. The topcoat forms a stretch film sealing the printed image and preventing it from scratch. If the printed image needs better protection on the finish products, then another treatment can be used with the previous base coating materials. The compositions of either the clear basecoat or topcoat are resins, mineral oil, additives and solvents. The selection of polymers in the clear coating is the same as those in pad printing ink. The content of resins in the clear coating ranges from approximately 5 to 30% by weight, more preferably from about 10 to 25% by weight, and ideally from about 15 to 20% by weight. It is necessary to use fast-drying solvents for the basecoat while the retarder solvents for topcoat. Preferred are compositions employing the combination of aromatic solvents. The base coat should include solvent from about 35 to about 90% by weight, more preferably from about 50 to about 80% by weight, and ideally from about 60 to about 70% by weight. The solvent is used to make the irregular surface by dissolving the substrate of thermoplastic rubber. The mineral oil will be functioned as a retarder to prevent the either shrank or dissolution of the substrate due to the depth etching on the surface. The mineral oil is present in amounts ranging from about 5 to about 30% by weight, more preferably from about 10 to about 20% by weight.

EXAMPLE 1

The multicolor pad-printing machine is used to print an image onto the polymeric gel pad, which contain up to 80% mineral oil. The shapes of the gel pad can be die-cut to the shape specification. For example, in the three-color pad printing of a design logo onto the surface of flat or smoothing convex photo border, the printing process is repeated four times, with three different colors of ink and one clear topcoat. The topcoat can be applied by the pad printing. Alternatively, the clear top coating can be applied by spray method. The method of the top coating should be selected based on the shape of the final products.

EXAMPLE 2

The multicolor screen-printing machine is used to print an image onto the plastic release film. After having the image printed film, the automatic heat transfer machine is used to transfer the printing image to the gel products. A composition of formulation in accordance with the invention may be prepared by dispensing or injecting TPR gel into a shaped mould. The gel was allowed to set inside the mould at room temperature; and no further handling of the product is necessary. Preferably the picture frame is formed into an aesthetically eye catching shape.

The invention has been described herein with the reference to certain preferred embodiments. It is understood that obvious variants thereon will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not to be considered as limited thereto.

Description of Device

In referring to FIG. 1, the Novelty Gel Pad Gel Picture Frame is readily disclosed. As can be seen, it is fabricated from a shaped material fabricated from the type of plastic as previously described in this application. As noted, it has a square shape 1 and in the central portion thereof is a design 2 in this particular instance comprising the silhouette of a heart, and which has been molded in place, but which can be manipulated, for reasons to be described. Obviously, through the usage of this invention, various types of indicia, whether it be lettering, names, numbers, sayings, designs, trademarks, company names, or any other type of indicia, can be imprinted thereon, in a manner as described in this application.

In referring to FIG. 2, the central design portion 2 has been removed from the center of the plastic molded item 1, and in this manner, there is a silhouette, in this instance, of a heart shaped aperture 2, which provides a see through for the embodiment of the composition of polymeric gel. A die cut line, as around the location 2, provides for this separation. Thus, since this gel has a tackiness to it, it can be applied to any surface, such as a window surface, wall, refrigerator, or any other surface to which it may adhere, and within the opening may be provided a picture, statement, phrase, or any item to be displayed, so that this polymeric gel forms the picture frame, as previously summarized herein, and as can be understood. Then, the particular design 2, in this instance being the shape of the heart, can also be applied to a surface, it may have printed indicia thereon, of the type as previously reviewed, to provide for its ready display. That particular part of the composition may also be applied to a surface, for display. Obviously, the shape of the design can be to any configuration, whether it be an apple, peach, or some fruit, or any type of design that conceivably could be cut free from the frame 1. In addition, the internal design 2 may have been pre-cut at the factory, so that all the user need do is simply press it free, to provide for the two component usage of this development, whether it be the picture frame 1, or the shaped design 2, that may be independently used and applied by the purchaser. Or the entire pad can be used as a non slip pad to hold items thereon. This is an example as to how the molded item of this invention, formed from the particular type of polymeric gel as described herein, can be manufactured, used, and applied. 

1. A gel pad for use for supporting any item, said pad having side edges and top and bottom edges, and a bottom surface having sufficient tackyness to provide for its application and adherence to a smooth surface, and said gel pad capable of removal from a smooth surface; whereby a non slip pad is made from the gel pad for temporary adherence of an item against movement.
 2. A gel picture frame for supporting and displaying a pictorial or other item by the application of said gel picture frame comprising: (a.) said gel picture frame having a top and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having sufficient tackiness to provide for its application and adherence to a smooth surface, and said gel picture frame capable of removal from a smooth surface; (b.) said gel picture frame having an inner opening having a shape to accommodate the display of a pictorial or other item there through when adhered to a smooth surface, said inner opening forming at least one approximate pictorial display opening therethrough; (c.) a transfer release film having a printed artwork or coloration applied thereon; (d.) said release film applied to the upper surface of the gel picture frame, to thereby transfer the printed artwork or coloration from the release film onto the gel picture frame; and (e.) the bottom surface of the gel picture frame having sufficient tackiness to allow for its adherence to and for holding the pictorial or other item to the smooth surface.
 3. A non slip pad according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric gel is thermoplastic rubber gel.
 4. A picture frame according to the claim 2 the polymeric gel comprising: from about 5 to about 50% of a volatile hydrocarbon, one or more hydrocarbon-soluble substances, or mixtures hereof; from about 10 to about 40% of a blend of diblock and triblock and/or multiblock copolymers, said blend comprising from about 0 to about 100 weight percent of one or more diblock copolymer and from about 100 to about 0 weight percent of one or more triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymer; and from about 0.1 to about 30 weight percent of fragrance.
 5. Gel picture frame composition of claim 2 additionally comprising: luminescent pigment, fluorescent pigment, thermochromic pigment metallic pigment, pearlescent particles, glitters, oil soluble dyes, light absorber, and antioxidants.
 6. The printing ink composition of claim 2 further comprising one or more copolymer resins selected from the group consisting of a triblock, radical block and muiltiblock copolymer, and optionally diblock copolymer, mineral oil, solvents, colorants and additives.
 7. The printing ink composition of claim 2, wherein each of said copolymers contains at least two thermodynamically incompatible segments, and are selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene polymers, styrene-butadiene polymers and styrene-isoprene polymers.
 8. The printing ink composition of claim 7 wherein said copolymers comprise between about 2 to 20% by weight, more preferably from about 5 to 10% by weight.
 9. The printing ink composition of claim 7 wherein said mineral oil comprise between from about 10 to 30% by weight, preferably from about 15 to 25% by weight.
 10. The printing ink composition of claim 7 wherein said solvent comprises between from about 30 to 80% by weight, preferably from about 45 to 75% by weight.
 11. The printing ink composition of claim 7 wherein said pigments comprise between from about 10 to 30% by weight, preferably from about 15 to 25% by weight.
 12. The printing ink composition of claim 7 further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of adhesion modifier, mailing powder, antistatic agent, anti-foaming agent, wetting agent, antioxidant, and flow control agent, fragrance.
 13. The process claim 1 wherein the top coat treatment further comprises one or two copolymer resins selected from the group consisting of tailback, radical block and multi-block copolymer, a mineral oil, solvents; and additives.
 14. The top coat composition of claim 2 wherein each of said copolymers contains at least two thermodynamically incompatible segments, and are selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene polymers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene polymers.
 15. The top coat composition of claim 14 wherein said copolymers comprise between about 5 to 30 percent by weight of the said composition.
 16. The top coat composition of claim 14 wherein said mineral oil comprises between about 5 to 30 percent by weight of the said composition.
 17. The top coat composition of claim 14 wherein said solvents comprise between about 5 to 90 percent by weight of the said composition.
 18. The top coat composition of claim 17, and further including aromatic solvent such as toluene, xylene, aromatic 100, aromatic 150; ester solvent such as amyl acetate, butyl acetate; and ketone solvent such as cyclohexanone, isophrone; ester acetate solvents such as 2-butoxyethyl acetate, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, propyl glycol methyl ether acetate.
 19. A gel picture frame according to claim 2, wherein the frame is tacky on both top and bottom side.
 20. A gel picture frame according to claim 2, wherein the frame sticks vertically against the smooth surface.
 21. A gel picture frame for supporting and displaying an item said gel picture frame comprising a frame having both top and bottom side to stick on the smooth surface, and removably along any smooth surface, making outer and inner cut path into designed shape of gel picture frame, while leaving a center window portion.
 22. A gel picture frame according to claim 21, wherein the frame is bendable, flexible, and removable.
 23. A gel picture frame according to claim 21, wherein the frame is translucent or transparent.
 24. A gel picture frame for supporting and displaying a pictorial or other item, said gel picture frame comprising: (a.) a gel picture frame having both a top and bottom surface, the bottom surface having sufficient tackiness to allow for its adherence and removal from a smooth supporting surface; (b.) said gel picture frame having at least an inner opening of a size to provide for display of a pictorial or other item therethrough; whereby the gel picture frame may be used to adhere the pictorial or other item to the surface through application of the formers tacky bottom surface onto a smooth supporting surface.
 25. The process for making a multifunctional gel pad comprising the steps of: providing a molded shape; injecting a polymeric gel into the molded shape to form a gel pad; printing indicia on said molded gel pad; providing a design shaped center within the gel pad, said design shape center capable of removal there from; coating a top coat onto said printed gel pad; separating the design shape center from the molded gel pad thereby forming a gel pad with inner opening of a particular designed shape to form a picture frame, while the inner design shape provides a separate gel pad for application to a surface; and the removal of the design center shape from the gel pad functions as a picture frame, whereby the picture frame and the center design gel pad can be separated to provide for separate components for application to a surface for adherence. 